I just chopped off the bottom of my Delonghi EC155 PF and got the 607706 basket. Here's a video of the pull, which I know is a disaster, but that's why I'm posting. I need your help. Can you give me some tips on how to improve this?

yeah, pretty miserable shot...sorry don't mean to be knocking you when you're down, but rather, just confirming that (in case there was any question at all). Anyhow, don't fear, you can only improve.

A couple of comments:1) look at your video again. in the very beginning, you'll see the extraction starts on one side, then walks across the bottom of the pf, that comes from uneven distribution and/or tamping.2) you're getting tons of channeling. This may also be in part from your distribution.3) in your next video (assuming there is a "next" one), you'll want to show your dosing, distribution and tamp methods, so we can see what you're doing

questions for you:1) what grinder do you have?2) when were your beans roasted?

That grinder is killing you! It doesn't have the consistency in particle size for espresso. It also doesn't have the adjustability you need to dial in the fineness for espresso. I know that to a newbie 17 settings sounds like a lot, but only two or three are probably in the espresso range. Take a look at something like the Baratza Encore or the Racilio Rocky. Those have 40 steps! They aren't sensitive to really get one exactly where they need to be in grind setting either, but they're close enough to allow one to compensate and make it work. Still though, nobody here (ok, there are a few) recommends them because of that limitation. If you can swing it, you're going to see a huge improvement if you can upgrade that grinder to a refurbished Baratza Preciso (440 settings). It's goes for $239. If that's causing you sticker shock you're going to have to look at manual (aka "hand") grinders, cause that's entry level for an adequate electric grinder.

Still wondering when your beans were roasted. They need to be fresh...that means roasted with 15 days or so.

Oh, btw...can you please shorten the title of the thread by two or three characters. This system adds re: to all replies and I keep getting an error message.

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.Always remember the most important thing is what ends up in your cup!

My wife works at the Starbucks headquarters so (while not ideal) I'm trying to make due with using the free pound of coffee a week. I'm guessing you think that is a sin, and I get why, but that's what I'm going to try first....and as you know they don't have a roasted date on them.

Thanks a lot for the tips on grinders. Where are people buying refurbished grinders?

I'm leaning more towards the Baratza Encore since it gets great reviews for n00bs like myself.

I had a modded Delonghi Bar32 (same internals as EC155). Looks like you removed the pressure clip portion, def need a better grinder that Krups is junk (no offense meant lol). If your unpressurized you need at least the Preciso, the Encore can't grind well for espresso except for pressurized portafilters and you'll have similar issues, either choking/gushing as the steps are wide and meant more for coarse grinding. Also these baskets are smaller than normal so I can't remember what they should be dosed at as their easy to over dose and cause more issues. If you have a small digi scale that measures to .1 grams you could try like 12g and see if there's any screen imprints in the puck.

I had a modded Delonghi Bar32 (same internals as EC155). Looks like you removed the pressure clip portion, def need a better grinder that Krups is junk (no offense meant lol). If your unpressurized you need at least the Preciso, the Encore can't grind well for espresso except for pressurized portafilters and you'll have similar issues, either choking/gushing as the steps are wide and meant more for coarse grinding. Also these baskets are smaller than normal so I can't remember what they should be dosed at as their easy to over dose and cause more issues. If you have a small digi scale that measures to .1 grams you could try like 12g and see if there's any screen imprints in the puck.

It's actually a new basket the 607706 from Delonghi. Have you tried the Encore? The Seattle Coffee Gear people seem to think it is good, but I can see what you mean about not having the fine grain control.

I have not used an Encore. However, it's basically the same as a Rocky, in so far as adjustability goes, and I have owned one of those. Like I said above, it's useable, but at a price. Kind of ironic, but the lack of ultrafine adjustment makes it better suited to someone with a lot of experience, rather than a person new to espresso, and conversely, users with a lot of experience willing to deal with that are few and far between, as there are much better grinders out there. I can't begin to tell you how many people like yourself thought that was good enough for them and then went "Oh wow!" after getting something that is actually recommended by many here...but hey, if you want to go down that road yourself, go for it...but don't say we didn't try to warn you. :)

I understand it's hard to argue with free, but you're the one who has to suffer and struggle with it. I have a good friend who has a nose for free food and will always choose it over paying himself...me, I'd rather pay my hard earned money for good food than eat free bad food - but to each his own.

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.Always remember the most important thing is what ends up in your cup!

It doesn't matter whether its a cheap machine, the 80 dollar machine is meant to be used pressurized. If you want to use the encore then you'll need to use the pressurized basket that came with the machine.

That's the price to pay for nonpressurized. I guarantee you that everyone that replied to this topic has been down the same road as you. We all thought at one point that the high rated EC155 on amazon would be marvelous. Additionally, I used to think GALE at seattle coffee gear was amazing. Now I watch some of their videos and argue through the screen.

I started with the EC155 and depressurized it and went through 4 grinders before I ended up on the VARIO. Now everyone is my family has a grinder laying around haha.

Not to add insult to injury here, but people here listed the Preciso as the 'minimum' necessary. I personally wouldn't waste the time and would go for the VARIO or above. Especially if you go the REFURB route.

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